What I share with kids at PARTY

When I do my monthly PARTY talks at the hospital, who’s there are grade 11s, basically either just got, or about to get their drivers license. They’re learning about the effects of decisions. But, I don’t only talk about drinking & driving, but other decisions. I ask them to put their hands up if they always ride their bikes with a helmet on. I’ve asked every group in the last few years, and every time, I’m surprised if someone holds up their hand. When I started to ask it, I thought that maybe one or two might not, but everyone else would. I was stunned that in the first class I asked, not a single kid held up their hand. In fact, it wasn’t until the third group that someone held up their hand. I asked, saying that there’s no reason to not tell me why, because I won’t judge. I’ve heard that it messes up their hair, that it’s hot, it’s uncomfortable, and so on. I share with the kids that there’s absolutely no reason that would be good enough to not wear one. I say that the man who hit us was behind us, doing about 60, and we’d had no warning. I was driven over, and the only reason that I’m not dead is because of my helmet. I’ll start asking the classes to raise their right hand, and promise that they’ll wear theirs.